In the Monsoon session of Maharashtra Assembly, The Maharashtra government has announced restriction free Dahi Handi festival and has also announced to provide insurance of Rs. 10 lakhs to participant of the govinda.
On this decision opposition said, ‘’We welcome this move but the Government seem unprepared as authorities like Medical Department, District Collector and Tehsildars are yet to receive any GR or notification on this order.’’
The festival is on 19th August, Friday and Maharashtra Government took a decision of making it restriction free and insurance before a day.
The procedure of the Insurance is quite long, it’s Impossible to implement the decision in just before a day of the dahi handi festival.
Opposition said further, “The health department has to collect all names of Govinda pathaks and their members who will participate to register for the insurance, how is the government going to implement it within 2 days?”
On this Maharashtra Dy CM Devendra Fadanavis said, ‘’I would like to inform that the decision taken by CM is for a group insurance and not a personal insurance. But unfortunately, if any govinda dies his family will get Rs. 10 lakhs and if any govinda got serious injury he will get 5 lakh Rs. Of insurance.’’
The Supreme Court on Thursday ordered to maintain the status quo on the order of the Delhi High Court till Monday on a petition moved by the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) challenging an order which appointed the Committee of Administrator (CoA) for IOA for the preparation of Constitution and conducting fresh elections.
The bench headed by Chief Justice of India Justice CV Ramanna on Thursday ordered to maintain the status quo on the order of the Delhi High Court till Monday and listed the matter before the appropriate bench on Monday for a detailed hearing. Solicitor General of India Tushar Mehta, appeared for the Centre while supporting the IOA plea said the IOA has its own rules and Delhi High Court’s order to constitute a three-member committee of Administrators in this matter cannot be considered appropriate.
At the international level, the appointment of a CoA is seen as outside interference which can lead to the suspension of IOA. The Delhi High Court on August 16, 2022, appointed a Committee of Administrators (CoA) for the Indian Olympic Association (IOA).
The CoA will prepare and adopt the constitution of IOA within 16 weeks, said the order. The order further stated that the 3 Member CoA will function under Justice Anil R. Dave and will have former chief election commissioner SY Qureshi and Vikas Swarup, former Secretary Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India.
The CoA will have Olympic medallists Abhinav Bindra, Anju Bobby George and Bombayla Devi as Consultant Sportspersons. The Delhi High Court had passed this order including others while allowing Public Interest Litigation (PIL) by Senior advocate Rahul Mehra in 2010.
The Division Bench of Justice Najmi Waziri and Justice Manmohan directed that CoA shall assist in the preparation and adoption of the Constitution of IOA as per the sports Code and Court rulings.
The bench directed that the CoA shall prepare the Electoral Roll/Electoral College for the purpose of conducting the elections to the Executive Committee (EC) in accordance with the provisions of the Constitution, as may be proposed. It shall carry out the day-to-day governance of IOA.
The High Court also directed that in discharging its task CoA would be at liberty to take the assistance of the erstwhile EC of IOA which has continued thus far, in order to facilitate decisions being taken apropos the holding of tournaments, selection of players and all other matters necessary for the proper administration and management of IOA.
The Court said that the EC of IOA shall hand over the charge to the CoA. The bench clarified that CoA would be at liberty to make all appropriate arrangements for the governance of IOA until the fresh election is held in terms of a constitution conforming to the Sports Code.
The Court also said CoA shall facilitate the holding of elections and handing over the affairs to a democratically elected body in terms of its constitution which will be adopted, preferably within a period of 16 weeks from the date the CoA members give their assent.
The bench observed in the order, ” The history of persistent recalcitrance of the IOA for almost half a century to comply with the Sports Code, despite its consistent assurance to the Government, the societal concerns and the larger public good, make it imperative that the IOA’s affairs be put in the hands of a Committee of Administrators (CoA), similar to what has been directed by the Supreme Court on May 18, 2022, in the case of another NSF in All India Football Federation Vs. Rahul Mehra and others.”
The bench said that all NSFs complying with the Sports Code and representing Olympic sports will automatically qualify for IOA membership subject to completion of formalities.
Accordingly, the application of the Indian Golf Union shall be so considered by the IOA within 4 weeks, for full voting rights and it shall be a part of the electoral college.
At last Justice Najmi Waziri said,” The logical corollary to the proceeding discussion would be that IOA would disqualify itself from retention of its recognition as a sports federation because of non-compliance with the Sports Code and the law of the land.
However, for the duration that the CoA assists in bringing IOA’s affairs in order, IOA’s recognition will not be disturbed. If the compliance is not done by IOA, within the time specified hereinabove its recognition by the Government shall stand suspended.
The urgency for cooperation with the CoA and the onus for compliance with the sports code is upon the IOA. Justice Manmohan observed, “It is high time that structural reforms are implemented to remove the mismanagement in the sports bodies and to democratize these institutions. The Central and state government may well consider passing comprehensive legislation with regard to recognising and management of sports bodies incorporating the best practice and the IOC Charter without which no facility (monetary or otherwise) should be granted by any Stated and Union of India.
” This court clarifies that the intent of the judgement is to improve the ‘eco system’ and bring about the structural reforms and is not directed against a particular individual or sports federation. The bench has also directed that there would be 25 per cent participation of eminent sportspersons in the Annual General Assembly and Executive Committee. The Court also fixed the age and tenure criteria which would be all post office bearers in the sports body. Besides, it is for recognition and financial and other support every sports body shall comply with the sports code. Only those sports which are represented at the Olympics shall have the voting right in the electoral college. The Court also said that the person will criminal background will not be in the sports body. Besides, the state sports body will not have the voting right in the election of IOA. Justice Waziri said, ” The legal regime that proposes sports administration in India has to be implemented fully and effectively.
Compliance with the Sports Code is non-negotiable. If a sports federation does not comply with the law of the land, it will receive no recognition from the government.
All benefits and facilities to it will stop promptly. It is better that a legitimate body represents the cause of sportspersons than one simply masquerading as the real champion of Indian sports.
Fairness and legitimacy need to imbue all public affairs. Recalcitrant entities which defy adherence to the rules of the game, while continuing to unjustly enjoy the government’s largesses and patronage, must be called out.” Justice Manmohan noted, ” What the present writ petition highlights are that electoral colleges of most of the sports bodies are controlled by a few individuals where genuine sportsmen find it difficult to get elected and play an important role in the management.
Most sports bodies are split down the middle.
Even the Electoral College/list of authorised representatives to attend and vote at the General Body meeting of the IOA is seriously disputed.
This Court is surprised that the IOA Constitution in vogue stipulates that the President of IOA can be for life.
Seeing the present Constitution, one is reminded of the mausoleum of the first Emperor of China Qin Shi Huang, where terracotta soldiers were buried with the purpose of protecting the Emperor in his afterlife, Justice Manmohan observed. Earlier, the Delhi High Court on Tuesday appointed a Committee of Administrators (CoA) for the Indian Olympic Association (IOA). The CoA will prepare and adopt the constitution of IOA within 16 weeks.
Jailed Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Raut on Thursday appeared before a magistrate in Mumbai through video conference in a defamation case filed by BJP leader Kirit Somaiya’s wife Medha Somaiya and pleaded not guilty.
Raut is lodged at the Arthur Road jail here following arrest by the Enforcement Directorate in a money laundering case.
Earlier in the day, the Sewri metropolitan magistrate, hearing the defamation case filed by the BJP leader’s wife, asked the jail authorities to produce the Sena leader before the court through video conference at 12 noon.
Accordingly, Raut appeared before the magistrate and pleaded not guilty in the case, Medha Somaiya’s lawyer Vivekanand Gupta said.
The lawyer said the matter has been adjourned till September 19.
Medha Somaiya in her complaint alleged that Raut had made baseless and completely defamatory allegations against her and her husband, accusing them of being involved in a scam worth Rs 100 crore over the construction and maintenance of some public toilets under the jurisdiction of the Mira Bhayander Municipal Corporation in neighbouring Thane district.
She has urged the court to begin proceedings against Raut on the charges of defamation as defined under sections 499 and 500 of the Indian Penal Code.
The ED had arrested the Rajya Sabha member in a money laundering case linked to alleged irregularities in the redevelopment of a Mumbai ‘chawl’.
A 30 year old woman Seetabai Gade, resident of Bakkarwadi of Beed district died due to illegal abortion.
To confirm the reason for death her body is sent to Aurangabad for autopsy.
The government is combing all abortion centers and sonography centers to verify the malpractices such as sex detection and illegal abortion.
Opposition said, Beed district is infamous for such practices and so far the government has not done anything to tackle the issue. Opposition slam gov for not acting on it in legislative assembly.
Samyukt Kisan Morcha (SKM)- an umbrella body of farmers has announced it is beginning a 75-hour sit-in in Lakhimpur Kheri from Thursday to press for their pending demands.
SKM is an umbrella group comprising around 40 farm organisations, primarily demanding the proper implementation of minimum support price (MSP) for crops.
Earlier on July 31, farmers in Punjab had blocked the railway track at Vallah in Amritsar, Bathinda and protested at Shambhu toll plaza in Ambala, Panchkula’s Barwala and Kaithal’s Cheeka against the Union government for not fulfilling their demands.
On December 14, the SKM urged the centre to dismiss and arrest the Minister of State (MoS) in Home Ministry Ajay Mishra Teni after the Special Investigation Team (SIT) set up to investigate the Lakhimpur Kheri violence case termed the incident as a ‘pre-planned conspiracy’ in its submission to the Judicial Magistrate.
Citing the fact that the SIT has recommended the removal of the existing Indian Penal Code (IPC) 279, 338, 304A and recommended imposition of sections 307, 326, 34 and sections 3, 25 and 30 of the Arms act on the 13 accused in the case, the SKM asserted that, “The SITs investigation reaffirms the stand of Samyukta Kisan Morcha and the protesting farmers that the Lakhimpur Kheri incident was a pre-planned massacre.”
SKM urged the centre to stop providing its alleged protection to the minister and reiterated its demand for his dismissal and arrest. Local farmers had blamed the Union Minister and his son Ashish Mishra for the violence that left eight dead, including four farmers a local journalist, and others during a farmers’ protest.
They were mowed down by a vehicle that was part of the convoy of the Minister in Lakhimpur Kheri in north-central Uttar Pradesh. Videos were being circulated on social media where an SUV was seen knocking down protesters from behind. The Minister and his son denied the charges.
WI woman to host New Zealand for three ODIs, T20I series 7
West Indies women will host New Zealand for three ODIs and five T20Is from September 16 to October 6 in Antigua, Cricket West Indies (CWI) announced on Wednesday. CWI confirmed that the three One-Day Internationals (ODI) and five T20 Internationals (T20I) will be played at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium. The ODI Series is scheduled for September 16, 19 and 22.
While the T20Is are scheduled for September 26 to October 6.
“I am very happy that we will be hosting New Zealand in the West Indies,” Courtney Walsh, West Indies head coach, said in a CWI release.
“They are a very competitive team, and this will make for a great series for our team. As it comes just after we’ve had the Women’s regional tournaments and the Women’s CPL, it will be a great fillip for our players,” he added.
The West Indies coach said that they are currently holding a specialist camp that includes some new players.
“And after the Women’s CPL we will have a second camp in Antigua. In addition, the Lead Selector was with the West Indies U19 Women’s team for their series in Florida and have identified some exciting prospects to consider,” Walsh added.
“We should have enough cricket before the New Zealand Series starts. Every series that we play we want to win, and we will be playing a positive brand of cricket. We will also have an eye on the T20 World Cup around the corner. So, this will give the squad a chance to showcase all their skills, and also give us, the coaching staff, a chance to look at what depth we have,” he further said.
Indian stock indices started Thursday’s session with minor losses primarily due to profit booking after the recent bull run.
Barring today’s marginal losses, the latest bull run in Indian stocks has been continuing for the past five weeks on a trot. At 9.21 a.m., Sensex traded at 60,135.12 points, down 125.01 points or 0.21 per cent, whereas Nifty traded at17,917.60 points, down 26.65 points or 0.15 per cent.
Pertinent to mention here, the benchmark index Sensex touched the psychologically crucial 60,000 mark on Wednesday after more than four months. A slight moderation in inflation — both in the US and India — coupled with a fresh inflow of foreign funds into Indian capital markets infused positive investor sentiments.
“The decline in inflation has increased the possibility of a soft landing for the US economy. In India, the decline in inflation, declining crude, strong growth momentum, good monsoon and above all FIIs turning into consistent buyers have turned the sentiments in favour of the bulls. However, high valuation is a concern,” said VK Vijayakumar, Chief Investment Strategist at Geojit Financial Services.
Till early July, Foreign Portfolio Investors (FPIs) were consistently selling equities in the Indian markets for the past nine-to-ten months due to various reasons, including tightening of monetary policy in advanced economies, rising demand for the dollar and high returns from US bonds.
They have pulled out Rs 175,653 crore worth of equities so far in 2022, NSDL data showed. In July, they were, however, the net buyer with a total purchase of equities worth Rs 4,989 crore.
So far in August, they bought equities worth another Rs 36,716 crore, data showed. Meanwhile, benchmark indices – Sensex and Nifty – rose nearly 10-11 per cent during the ongoing rally on a cumulative basis, thereby recovering largely the entire losses they witnessed so far in 2022.
The latest rally in stocks made Indian investors richer by around Rs 25 trillion. “While the domestic economy and earnings have showcased strong resilience, we remain caution at current valuations & suggest a staggered buying approach,” said Kedar Kadam, Director – Listed Investments at Waterfield Advisors.
Arrested Sukanya Mondal to appear before Calcutta HC today 10
The Calcutta High Court on Wednesday directed Sukanya Mandal, daughter of TMC Birbhum District President Anubrata Mondal, to appear before the court today after a petition was filed that she got the post of teacher without clearing the Teachers’ Eligibility Test (TET) exam.
The petitioner alleged that a total of six people including Mandal were given jobs as primary teachers without undergoing the TET exam.
Hearing on a PIL on Wednesday Justice Abhijit Gangopadhyay asked for documents regarding Anubrata Mandal’s relatives getting jobs in primary schools and hence directed Mandal’s appearance before the court.
As per reports, Sukanya Mandal never physically visited the school of her appointment while the attendance register was sent to Mandal’s house to mark her presence.
Earlier the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on August 11 arrested TMC Birbhum district president Anubrata Mondal who is known to be a close aide of Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, in connection with the cattle smuggling case.
The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on August 5 had sent a notice to Mondal for interrogation in connection with a cattle smuggling case, sources said.
Mondal was asked to appear in the CBI office at Nizam’s Palace in Kolkata on Monday, August 8.
The CBI on September 21, 2020, had arrested a former Border Security Force (BSF) Commandant, in connection with illegal cattle smuggling across the Indo-Bangladesh border. Anubrata Mondal’s name came under the scanner during the investigation of the case, the sources added.
Meanwhile, West Bengal LoP Suvendu Adhikari reacting to the recent developments in West Bengal said that the TMC government will not last longer than six months in the state
“Enforcement Directorate and CBI are doing their work. This party (TMC) will not last even for 6 months. December is their deadline,” said West Bengal LoP Suvendu Adhikar
Image: ANI | Spokesman of the Islamic Emirate Zabihullah Mujahid
The Taliban on Wednesday condemned the explosion that took place at a mosque in Afghanistan’s capital, Kabul, which left 20 people dead.
The spokesman of the Islamic Emirate, Zabihullah Mujahid, said in a tweet that the perpetrators of “crimes” will soon be arrested and punished, Tolo News reported. Earlier, on Wednesday evening, an explosion took place in the Khair Khana area of Kabul during evening prayers where 20 people were killed and another 40 were injured.
The Taliban claim they have full control of Afghanistan but the Islamic State continues carrying out attacks on civilians and police across the country. The Taliban has not issued any statement on casualties, according to the Afghan news agency. No terrorist group has claimed responsibility for the blast so far.
Among the dead is a top Islamic cleric named Amir Mohammad Kabuli. Two weeks ago, two deadly blasts in Kabul took the lives of 10 people, injuring 40 others.
The Islamic State claimed responsibility for both attacks. This blast comes on the heels of one year of Taliban rule in Afghanistan. Meanwhile, Rights groups said the Taliban have broken multiple pledges to respect human rights and women’s rights.
After capturing Kabul in August last year, the Islamic authorities have imposed severe restrictions on women’s and girls’ rights, suppressed the media, and arbitrarily detained, tortured, and summarily executed critics and perceived opponents, among other abuses.
The New York-based rights group in its report said Taliban human rights abuses have brought widespread condemnation and imperilled international efforts to address the country’s dire humanitarian situation.
Two new electric buses, including the first air-conditioned double-decker bus in the country, will join the fleet of the Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport (BEST) undertaking here on Thursday, officials said on Wednesday.
A single-decker electric bus for app-based premium bus service and a double-decker air-conditioned bus will be launched at a function to be held at NCPA in south Mumbai.
Union minister Nitin Gadkari, Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadanvis and other dignitaries will attend the event.
Two books, including a coffee table book, will be published.
The photographs and videos of black and red double-decker bus and blue-coloured single-decker bus have gone viral on social media.
According to BEST officials, the manufacturer of the buses will first unveil them at a function near Mantralaya in south Mumbai on Thursday morning before handing them over to the BEST undertaking.
The BEST has awarded a contract to a private company for the supply of 900 electric buses in phases. Of these, 50 per cent of buses are expected to be delivered by March 2023 and the remaining 50 per cent thereafter.
The public transport service provider in Mumbai has planned to launch premium app-based public transport in the city.
Officials said that passengers will have to book their seats through the mobile application and they might have to shell out more fares as compared to the conventional buses for this premium service.
BEST is the second biggest mode of public transport in Mumbai after the suburban trains that carry more than 75 lakh passengers daily. BEST ferries more than 30 lakh passengers every day with a fleet of around 3,700 buses.
